German team prior to kick-off in Moscow Photo: picture-alliance

German shouts and celebrations punctuated the night in the frigid Moscow air. A close 1-0 victory had just seen Germany beat Russia in this crucial World Cup qualifier. While the German players exchanged high-fives, Russian heads drooped and the players withdrew into the bowels of the Luzhniki stadium to rue their missed opportunities.

Swiss referee Massimo Busacca denied the Russians a clear cut penalty in the dying minutes of a hard-fought match. In the 88 minute, substitute Arne Friedrich slid into a tackle, taking Bystrov down while the ball bobbled out of play. The referee, despite being only a few meters from the incident, failed to award the spot-kick for the Russians.

This was by no means the highlight of the match – for close to 85 minutes the two teams had fought with an intensity befitting the occasion. The difference was, according to Russia coach Guus Hiddink, “Germany only need half a chance.”

Klose scores

That chance came half an hour into the game. Özil, on the left, shimmied past a defender, played a short pass to Podolski who played an incisive through ball that cleaved the Russian defence. Özil took aim but to the surprise of Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev, faked a shot, only to square the ball into the middle where Miroslav Klose beat Ignashevich to the ball and poked in the winner.

At half-time, Germany were up 1-0 and Russia, though threatening, were kept at bay by German possession play. The second half saw a re-invigorated Russian side pushing for the equaliser. Arsenal star Arshavin came close with a fierce shot from the edge of the box while Semshov’s shot was pushed out for a corner by the German keeper. On several occasions Russia came close only to be denied by goalkeeper Rene Adler.

Strong performance by goalkeeper Adler

At 24, a tender age for a goalkeeper, the Bayer Leverkusen player has only 7 international caps to his name. One could have forgiven him for being intimidated by the 70,000 Russian fans roaring, a little nervous at the immensity of the occasion and the pressure of taking a place in German goalkeeping pedigree. However, Adler was flawless.

Marshalling his defenders, plucking down crosses, rushing out to deny Kerzhakov and blocking shots – nothing fazed the keeper. He radiated calmness and it was hard to equate his post-match statement “That was the most emotional game of my career.” – with his on-pitch persona.

As Russia piled forward, Germany came close to scoring with a Ballack header narrowly missing the goal and a long-distance strike from the inventive Özil skimming the bar.

On the night, a solid team performance – Germany had to compensate for the loss of debutant defender Jerome Boateng for his second yellow card in the 70 minute, and a bit of luck, saw an elated Joachim Löw congratulate his team on qualifying for the World Cup. Russia, who are likely to finish second in the group, can yet qualify via the relegation matches.

A look into the history books will perhaps console the Russians. In World Cup qualifying campaigns, Germany have never lost an away match.

Germany

Team:

R. Adler, J. Boateng, Mertesacker, Westermann, Lahm, Ballack (C), Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Özil, Podolski, Klose

Subsitutions:

72. A.Friedrich for Özil

86. Trochowski for Podolski

89. Gomez for Klose

Bench:

Neuer (GK), M.Schäfer, Hitzlsperger, Cacau

Coach: Joachim Löw

Russia

Team:

Akinfeev, Anyukov, V.Berezutskiy, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Denisov, Bystrov, Zyryanov, Semshov, Arshavin (C), Kerzhakov

Substitutions:

46. Torbinskiy for Denisov

54. Pavlyuchenko for Kerzhakov

77. Pogrebnyak for Semshov

Bench:

Malafeev (GK), A.Berezutskiy, Semak, Yanbaev

Coach: Guus Hiddink